Opeyemi Bright and Jason Jackson have just rewritten the story of “what’s possible” for Nigerians in the U.K., and it’s a moment worth celebrating. In May 2025, two British–Nigerians were sworn in as mayors of London boroughs—each shattering records and opening doors for the rest of us.
At 29, Opeyemi Bright became Barking & Dagenham’s youngest ever Civic Mayor. Elected to the council at just 22, she quickly distinguished herself by championing financial transparency (drawing on her Chartered Accountant background) and community-driven initiatives. Born in East London to Nigerian parents—her mother once served as Hackney’s mayor—Opeyemi paused a thriving career in investment banking and tech to dedicate a year to this historic term. In her first address, she made clear that she sees this role not as a trophy but as a promise: to listen more than she speaks, to turn strategy into street-level impact, and to uplift every neighbourhood that shaped her.
Not far away in north London, Jason Jackson took office as Islington’s mayor—the first Nigerian-born person ever to hold the title since the borough’s founding in 1900. Jason’s journey began in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and continued through studies in Business Law, Media, and later Big Data at London universities. Elected to Islington Council in 2022, he brought with him a passion for social enterprise and ethical innovation. His inaugural speech was equal parts gratitude and challenge to build bridges across diverse communities, to harness technology for good, and to remind everyone that leadership means service.
Why does this matter? Because representation isn’t a footnote, it shapes how young Nigerians in the diaspora see their futures. Opeyemi and Jason show us that influence and integrity can go hand in hand, that faith and ambition aren’t competing forces, and that “you belong at the table” isn’t just a slogan, it’s reality.
Whether you’re in Barking or beyond, their rise to mayor reminds us: barriers break when we dare to lead. Here’s to the next generation of trailblazers—may they feel emboldened by these two historic firsts.
